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This story is a continuation of our Senior Letter series, asking graduating seniors to write a letter to the freshman version of themselves. The senior featured in this story is Gabriel Garcia, a driven student with valuable insight to share with future college students.

Underclassmen and incoming freshmen can gain helpful perspective from his experience. Here is what Gabriel would say to his freshman self:

Dear Freshman Me,

I know right now everything feels uncertain. You’re stepping into a place you’re not sure about, in a town that feels smaller than anything you imagined for yourself. Plainview doesn’t look like much at first glance, and if you’re being honest, you’re questioning whether you really belong here.

So let me tell you something I wish you could fully understand from day one: buy in.

Buy into 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ Baptist. Buy into the people, the opportunities, the community. Even when it feels uncomfortable. Even when it feels different from what you expected. Because what you can’t see yet is how much this place is going to give back to you.

That small town you’re unsure about? It’s going to grow on you. The quiet streets, the familiar faces, the sense of community: you’ll come to appreciate all of it. It won’t happen overnight, but one day you’ll realize it feels like home.

And the reason for that is simple: the people.

It’s the educators who will push you, challenge you, and care about you far beyond the classroom. It’s the coaches who will demand your best while believing in you even when you don’t believe in yourself. It’s the cafeteria staff who greet you with a smile and make your day just a little better without even realizing it.

Those are the people who make 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ special.

That’s what sets this place apart from every other school in the nation. It’s not just about academics or athletics, it’s about a community of people who genuinely have your best interests at heart. They want to see you succeed, not just as a student, but as a person.

So don’t hold back. Don’t stay on the outside looking in. Get involved. Take chances. Build relationships. Trust the process.

Because one day, you’ll look back and realize this place, this unexpected, small-town experience, helped shape you into exactly who you needed to become.

And you’ll be grateful you stayed.

Sincerely,
Your Senior Self